M. K. Raina
Raina at IGNCA, Delhi in 2015
Born
Maharaj Krishna Raina

(1948-07-24) 24 July 1948
Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Alma materNational School of Drama
Years active1969–present
AwardsSangeet Natak Akademi Award - Direction 1995

Maharaj Krishen Raina (born 10 February 1948), popularly known as M. K. Raina, is an Indian theatre actor and director. Raina graduated from National School of Drama in 1970 with the Best Actor award.

Early life

Maharaj Krishna Raina was born on 10 February 1948 in the city of Srinagar of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Union of India.[1] Maharaj completed his college in Srinagar and then moved to NSD in Delhi on a state scholarship.[2] Raina, born into a Kashmiri Pandit family, comes from a family background of doctors and engineers. His father was a political activist this influenced Raina into social activism.[2]

Career and work

Theatre and drama

After graduating from the National School of Drama in 1970, Raina commenced on his work in Indian parallel cinema 27 Down, in which he also plays the lead role of "Sanjay". He has produced over 150 plays in 12 languages.[2]

As an actor, he has worked in more than a hundred plays. He has directed several memorable productions like Kabira Khada Bazar Mein, Karmawali, Pari Kukh, Kabhi Na Chooden Khet and The Mother, Bhanbhatt Ki Atmakatha, Godan, Muavze, Tum Saadat Hasan Manto Ho, Badshah Pather, Stay Yet A While, Baaki Itihaas, Hiroshima, Hatya Ek Aakar Ki, The Great Trial. His production encompass the works of Sanskrit classic plays, folk theatre and classic international playwrights like Shakespeare, Ibsen, Chekov, Lorca, Brecht. Andha Yug, which he directed, was performed in Berlin and the Festival of India in the USSR. He was a Fellow and also produced Jasma Odan at Hawaii University in 1986. His films as actor include 27 Down, Satah Se Uthta Aadmi, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Tamas, Titli, Genesis, Tarang, Ankur Maina aur Kabootar, Taare Zameen Par, Rab Ne Banadi Jodi, Aisha, Noor, Lakshya, Teen Aur Aadha, Exchange Offer (short). He has also acted in the acclaimed web series The Forgotten Army for Amazon Prime.

Cultural activist

Besides being a practising actor/director in theatre and media, he is known also as a cultural activist. Raina believes that culture is a counterpoint to the violence and terrorism around us.[2]

Academia

He has been a visiting director at the National School of Drama, Hyderabad Central University, IIT Hyderabad and Chhattisgarh among others.

He was the Scholar in Residence at Jamia Milia Islamia. He was also Fellow at the Stanford University (USA).

Awards

He has received the Sanskriti Samman in 1980, the Sahitya Kala Parishad Award in 1981, Best Director of the year by West Bengal Government 1982 and the Best Director's award of Punjabi Akademi, Delhi in 1987.

M. K. Raina received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1995[3] and the Swarna Padak from the Govt. of Jammu and Kashmir in 1996 for his contribution to Indian Theater.

He was also awarded one of India's highest theatre awards, the B. V. Karanth award for lifetime achievement in 2007.[4]

The Delhi Government awarded him the Hindi Akademi Shikhar Samman in 18.

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Encyclopedia of Asian Theatre. Greenwood. 2007. ISBN 9780313335310. Archived from the original on 5 April 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2007. RAINA, MAHARAJ KRISHNA (1 948-). Indian Hindi-language actor and director of stage and screen, born in Srinagar, Kashmir. He studied at New Delhi's National School of Drama, earning the school's best actor award at his 1970 graduation.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Delhi, Metro Plus (15 April 2002). "'Slow trotter' going places ..." The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012. Retrieved 21 July 2012.
  3. ↑ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Visiting artists, M.K. Raina". Stanford.com. October 2011. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 25 July 2012.
  5. ↑ "'Tanaav,' Indian adaptation of 'Fauda' to stream on Sony LIV from November 11". The Hindu. PTI. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
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